Responding to concerns raised by Gov. Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott, the rules would require navigators — hired by local organizations through a federal grant — to undergo a criminal background check, prove their U.S. citizenship and provide documentation of their educational credentials.

The proposed rules are also aimed at prohibiting navigators from engaging in conflicts of interest and favoring specific insurance plans, which is already forbidden under federal law. In addition, navigators could not charge users for information about health coverage, favor a specific health benefit plan and participate in political campaigns.

“In Texas, we are being vigilant about safeguarding privacy and keeping personal information out of the wrong hands,” Commissioner of Insurance Julia Rathgeber said in a statement. “These proposed rules address insufficiencies in federal regulations and make the training and qualifications of navigators in our state more readily apparent to consumers and service providers.”